Welcome to the bizarre court of Henry VIII, where even a princess fears losing her head like her mother. Elizabeth hides her tenacious personality from everyone, especially her father. Your 21st-century kid will enjoy Elizabeth's "treasonous thoughts" and glimpse the daily life of a young woman who ascended the throne at 25 and went on to rule her country for 45 years. Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

“Josephine Bailey reads with a haughty confidence. Her well-enunciated accent sounds royal as she mixes palace intrigue with preteen concerns of school and friends.”

AudioFile

“Elizabeth, the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, shares her day-to-day life from the ages of 11 to 14.…History is conveyed, accurately for the most part, in an entertaining fashion. Narrator Josephine Bailey’s light British accent is perfect for a young Elizabeth’s first person point-of-view set in diary format.”

School Library Journal

Josephine Bailey reads with a haughty confidence. Her well-enunciated accent sounds royal as she mixes palace intrigue with preteen concerns of school and friends.AudioFile

Listener Opinions

Julie | 2/20/2014

" Love this series - great resources in the back "

Shelby | 2/12/2014

" This historical fiction book by Kathren Lasky is written in the form of a diary. It takes you through what it's like to be a princess that can be exiled and removed from the line of succesion by the will of her father.Thought to be the daughter of a witch Anne Bolynn, Elizabeth writes about her life, sometimes at Hatfield,other times at court. Her best friend Robin is not left out of the mix. Includes a Historical Note and her strong will to never marry. "

Amani | 1/29/2014

" The book is the fictional diary of Queen Elizabeth 1 before she was queen, when she was still a teenager. The book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I liked it. It was a good read, and at the end had a few historical notes as well as pictures of Queen Elizabeth in different stages of her life, with captions stating what age she was, etc, which was fun to read. I liked it. "

Grace | 1/28/2014

" it was really great! "

Lola | 1/27/2014

" Okay overall. Sometimes the nagging about Princess Mary got repetitive, but this is probably because I read a similar book in Mary's point of view first. Interesting series. Recommend for younger readers. "

Naomi | 1/25/2014

" This is a really good book- it is the fictionalized diary of Elizabeth I while she was in her early teen years. I thought it was a quick read because I had no other book to read. This book is just about what Elizabeth would have been doing as a Princess in the Royal Court of her father King Henry VIII and his 6th wife Queen Catherine Parr. She lived with her dear brother Prince Edward (at the end of the book, he becomes King Edward IV when their father passes), and her loathesome sister Princess Mary (aka Queen Mary I or Bloody Mary). She pours her heart out about being an "invisible" daughter and her troubles of entering and exiting exile every other year. Even though the story is mainly fictional, you still learned historical events such as the accomplishments of her father King Henry VIII, his six wives starting with Catherine of Aragon until his death with wife Catherine Parr. You learn about Renaissance England a little bit and how it was a Protestant community that Mary I later tried to turn Catholic (in honour of her Spanish Blood). Elizabeth I was probably one of the greatest monarchs of English history "The Elizabethan Age" named after her 45 year ruling as a single Queen. Her many accomplishments showed a strong willed woman, and we got to see her in a different light and how she may have been as a child. "

Libby | 1/24/2014

" An interesting fictionalized portrait of what may have passed through the mind of young princess Elizabeth. "

Devin | 1/20/2014

" this was a good book that taught me what it was like to live in 1544, and boy am i glad to have running water. she bathed about once every month and a half, and complained about it. "

Angie | 1/10/2014

" I hold Elizabeth I in very high regard...she overcame so much and accomplished so much for herself and her country. This is an excellent resource for young girls (or old girls, like me!) to get a glimpse into Elizabeth's world. "

Brighde | 1/1/2014

" A fictional diary of what life was like for Elizabeth I during her childhood, and enduring her barbaric father who kills many of his wives seeking a male heir. "

Lily Rose | 12/30/2013

" this was my favorite of the series of what i have read of the series. "

Carmen lopez | 12/1/2013

" it was a great way to describe the time of king henry the8th but what pain he had to go through when his legs would swell like a ballon when he was too fat. "

Laura Leininger | 11/24/2013

" Children's historical fiction of a Queen of England when she was their age. Humanizes this time period. "

Misti | 11/17/2013

" I love the history of Queen Elizabeth, I have great respect for her and reign over England. She is a woman that I love to read about and learn about, so this diary of hers when she was younger even made me like her more. "

Darby | 10/19/2013

" I LOVED this book. I don't know if that because I love history or what but I do love it. This book makes me feel like I am Elizabeth and not me anymore. Mrs. Lasky does a really good job in describing how she thinks Elizabeth would feel. She did a great job. Keep writing Mrs.Lasky! "

Sinala Gonzalez | 10/19/2013

" This book made me interested in the English monarchy. I thought it was a pretty reliable source. Kathy Lasky captured Elizabeth's character very well. "

Marina Lim | 8/17/2013

" she s a person not a flower "

Siabhaon | 8/10/2013

" Poor Elizabeth "

Mary | 4/18/2013

" Great book!! this is my favorite time period and if you know of any other books round this time then let me know!! thx "

Rachel | 2/21/2013

" It explained her life good. "

Butterfly | 12/25/2012

" Another good book, another you should read. "

Patrice | 11/21/2012

" The history of the Tudors is always of interest to me. Getting a look at the turbulant young life of one of England's most extraordinary political leaders never disappoints. "

Meredith | 6/25/2012

" Took me a bit to read this, I knew a lot about her already, it was just slightly slow for me... "

Dale | 4/22/2012

" Ckv J Bk reviewing for repl good story "

Hannah | 2/27/2012

" I remember when we were younger and would be like "Oh my gosh these are the best books ever!!! I can't believe I like them more than the Ramona books!" haha we were so dumb :) "

â™¥ Sarah â™¥ | 12/12/2011

" Pretty decent book. Very historical, I liked it alot. "

Writerchic | 9/28/2011

" this was a cool book; i've read it a few times. i think it was one of the 1st Royal Diary books i read! "

Kylee | 7/6/2011

" I read it in elementary school. It was very good. It was about Elizabeth I when she was young. "

Khloe Travis | 6/23/2011

" this was a nice book. i found it at the library and just sat down and read it through. "

Joy | 5/5/2011

" I love history, and the Royal Diaries series is great. I love Elizabeth's story.
"

Cindy | 3/20/2011

" Written for youth. A very good bio in dairy form. I especially liked the historical notes in the back.
"

Meredith | 3/5/2011

" Took me a bit to read this, I knew a lot about her already, it was just slightly slow for me...
"

L11-Sharri | 3/4/2011

" I listened to this on Audio and enjoyed listening to the actresses accent.
"

Kaela | 3/3/2011

" This one was always my favorite. These books are great for the younger reader.
"

Meghan | 1/17/2011

" This was the first book that I EVER read on the Tudors back in like...2005 (5th grade) and I have been absolutely unstoppable since. It's a great book to get kids into reading about history.
"

Anna | 12/30/2010

" Really interesting loved reading about what her life might have been like as the daughter of the King.
"

Chelsea | 12/10/2010

" I'm not into non fiction stuff and also it was for an english report
"

Other Titles by Kathryn Lasky:

About the Author

Kathryn Lasky has written many books. Among her works of fiction are The Night Journey, winner of the National Jewish Book Award, and Beyond the Burning Time, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. Her nonfiction has won the Newbery Honor, among other awards. She and her husband (and frequent nonfiction collaborator), photographer Christopher Knight, live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

About the Narrator

Josephine Bailey’s impeccable narrations include the British classics Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden. She has also used her subtly nuanced style to enliven historical fiction and light romances. She has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award.

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